We're just one month away from releasing our 2013 Buyers Guide with the results of our annual ski and boot tests. Consistently regarded as the best in the industry, our test puts 137 skis and 96 boots through the wringer. Only 119 products performed well enough to earn a coveted SKI Magazine Gold Medal. Over the next four weeks, we'll introduce you to a few of the top performers, including these four from the Deep Snow category. Check back next week for standouts from the Mixed Snow group.

Men's Deep Snow

Nordica Helldorado You just want it to live up to its menacing graphic (the black Death, as one tester put it), but the new Helldorado does more than that. Together with its metal-free brother, the Patron, it dominates the Deep Snow rankings. T ere might be wider, more buoyant skis in the category, but none with greater terrain and snow-conditions versatility than the Helldo (No. 1 in Balance of Skills). With metal reinforcement and a calm, low-profi le tip shape, it has smooth power to spare—“a big, bold ride that takes no prisoners”—and surprising hard-snow game for a board this wide. ◆ | ◆ ◆

Nordica Patron The returning patron is no. 2 in the category again this year, second only to its evil twin, the Helldorado. They’re identical in shape and rocker, but the Patron is metal-free, so it’s lighter and livelier, No. 1 in both Quickness and Forgiveness in a category of sometimes lumbering giants. Meanwhile, the low-profi le tip gives it quiet confi dence at speed, even in crud. Light-touch experts especially will approve. “Its quickness makes you forget how big it is in tight spots.” ■ ◆ | ◆ | ◆ ◆

Nordica La Nina Most companies are making great skis these days, but every so often our testers click into something that just sings. Enter La Niña, Nordica’s all-new women’s powder ski. On fi rst impression, testers thought the 185-cm test length looked like a monster. Once underfoot, though, it felt like an extension of their bodies as it smoothly absorbed crud, snapped through tight trees, and railed on hardpack. Aggressive rocker at tip and tail and camber underfoot are the magic combination, giving a big ski intended for serious skiers a huge measure of forgiveness and fun. ■ ◆ | ◆ | ◆ ◆